Team Katahdin Syllabus 8th Grade 2008

Teacher: Rebecca Bubier
Office: 909 Abbey Road
Office Phone: (207) 212-1082
Office Hours: Monday, Wednesday, Thursday 3:00 - 4:00
E-mail: Rebecca.Bubier@maine.edu


Summary of Unit

Students will understand Earth's systems, such as water and carbon cycles. Students will evaluate various forms of alternative energy and a cost/benefit analysis of those energy options for the state of Maine. Students will analyze Earth's spheres and how they interact. Essential questions ask: what are the cost/benefit of the most plausible alternative energy technology for the state of Maine? how are Earth cycles related to each other, to resources? why do Earth's spheres have such an integral part in the climate and weather that we experience? Students will be able to describe significant Earth resources and how their supply affects how they are used. They will test their knowledge of how Earth's cycles are related to Earth's spheres and changing climate. They will recognize the importance of alternative energy and the fuel crisis that has begun. This will be achieved with two labs, three blog entries, two quizzes and a final presentation. The presentation is a task, where the students have to make either a PowerPoint, an iMovie or a radio show that convinces Al Gore's entertainment committee that their band or performer of their choice is the best candidate to perform at Live Earth on 8/8/08. To be eligible to play, the student must prove that their band/performer is actively trying to help the environment and conserve energy. Products will be evaluated on accurate information, convincing evidence, reliable sources, creativity and quality.

Established Goals:
Maine Learning Results: Science and Technology
E. The Living Environment
D2 Earth
Grades 6-8
Students describe the various cycles, physical and biological forces and processes, position in space, energy transformations, and human actions that affect the short-term and long-terms changes to the earth.
d. Describe significant Earth resources and how their limited supply affects how they are used.

Students Will Understand That:
Everything in the Earth's systems are related in several ways, to pollution, energy consumption and climate change.
There are various types of resources, both renewable, non-renewable and alternative, the cost/benefit and plausibility of use and conversion to renewable and alternative energy in the state of Maine.
The different spheres of Earth and the importance that each of them play in the cycles that make up Earth's connected system.

Essential Questions Are:

What are the cost/benefit of the most plausible alternative energy technology for the state of Maine?
How are Earth cycles related to each other, to resources?
Why do Earth's spheres have such an integral part in the climate and weather that we experience?



Students Will Know:
Terminology: Earth's cycles, water, rock, carbon, nitrogen and energy cycle and all terms related to those cycles.
Evaluate alternative energy technology of hydrogen, ethanol, hydro power, wind power, nuclear, solar, wave and geothermal in comparison to gasoline, kerosene, oil, coal and determine which would be most beneficial for the cost in Maine
Analyze Earth's spheres: lithosphere, hydrosphere, biosphere, atmosphere and how they work together.

Students Will Be Able To:

Describe significant Earth resources and how their limited supply affects how they are used.
Illustrate their knowledge of the earth's cycles and how they interact with each other.
Test their knowledge of how earth cycles work in conjunction to earth's spheres and the changing climate.
Compare systems, how they work together, how they work separately.
Consider what alternative energy sources are good for the state of Maine. and ones that might not be in the best interest for the state.
Recognize the importance of alternative energy and the fuel crisis that is going to happen within their lifetimes.

Performance Task Overview:
You are a band management company or a talent agency executive board and you have to convince Al Gore's Entertainment Committee, for the Live Earth concert on 8/8/08, that your band or entertainer should be on the bill to perform. To be eligible for the nomination, you must show ways your artist(s) is helping the environment by conserving and using less energy, using their celebrity to raise awareness of global warming, fossil fuel consumption and alternative energies. You will then create a PowerPoint, iMovie, or radio show that persuades the committee that you a re the best choice for the performance and educate them on what your artist(s) is doing to help the environment. Must have a handout or pamphlet that is attractive and lists the main points of your project and your sources.


Expectations: As a student I will… Arrive to class on time and be prepared for all classes, that includes going to the restroom, getting a drink and going to my locker. I will have all the necessary materials that were asked for me to bring to class, including but not limited to: today's homework, any special clothing, shoes or outdoors equipment for lab, writing utensil, science notebook, science binder and science book. I will show respect for all people and property. I will keep my hands to myself, not touch anything that I do not have permission to touch, I will not talk when Ms. Bubier is talking, I will respect the opinions and beliefs of all students in the class. I know that I am allowed to disagree, but I am not allowed to be disrespectful. I will act in a safe and responsible manner, that includes following ALL lab safety procedures. Not following to do so, will be grounds for me to be dismissed from the class, without opportunity to make up the work. I will dress according to the school dress code. I will follow instructions of special attired for lab or class in case of exception or addition.

Benchmarks: Below is the point value for each assessment and your grade will be based on the percent of points earned from the total points of 850. Lab: Fossil Fuels, alternative energy and consumption worth 50 points There will be three blog entries for the unit: a pre-test/what-do-you-think blog, evaluating their carbon footprint. A blog where they analyze an alternative energy and if it would be beneficial for the state of Maine. Blogs worth 50 points each Garage Band recording describing an art form that relates to how humans interrupt the carbon, nitrogen, energy and water cycles. Worth 100 Wiki space web site creating a study guide of earth cycles. Worth 50 Digital representation of a brochure from a web quest. They must use the web to teach the world about consumption and climate change. Worth 100 Inspiration will be used to create an persuasive essay outline for a debate regarding alternative energy. Worth 100 iMovie about pollution, ozone depletion, green house effect, fossil fuel consumption and alternative/renewable energy. Worth 100 Performance Task (100 points for presentation, 100 points for product) You are a band management company or a talent agency executive board and you have to convince Al Gore's Entertainment Committee, for the Live Earth concert on 8/8/08, that your band or entertainer should be on the bill to perform. To be eligible for the nomination, you must show ways your artist(s) is helping the environment by conserving and using less energy, using their celebrity to raise awareness of global warming, fossil fuel consumption and alternative energies. You will then create a PowerPoint, iMovie, or radio show that persuades the committee that you a re the best choice for the performance and educate them on what your artist(s) is doing to help the environment. You must have a handout or pamphlet that is attractive and lists the main points of your project and your sources. You will be graded separately on your product and presentation, plan accordingly!

Grading Scale

A = 100-93
B = 92-85
C = 84-77
D = 76-70
F = 69 and below